2 Thessalonians 1 1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We thank God always for you, brothers, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and your love toward each other overflows, 4 So that we ourselves speak proudly of you to the churches of God because of your steadfast endurance and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure; [Love bears all things, ...endures all things. 1 Cor 13:7] 5 Which is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you suffer. [To enter the kingdom, every man must go through seven troubles, or seven trials — which is great tribulation. The seventh is the trial of perfection, the final trial before the revealing of Jesus Christ and his resurrection with you. The seven troubles correspond to the seven vials in the book of Revelation.] 6 It it is a righteous thing with God to repay affliction to those who afflict you; 7 And to you who are afflicted, to give rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,1 [Believers that are alive on earth receive rest with Paul when Jesus is revealed! More certain evidence that the appearance of Jesus, (you see Jesus as He is revealed), is to be experienced by purified believers while still alive on the earth.] 8 Taking vengeance in flaming fire on those who do not know God, and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; 9 Who will be punished with everlasting destruction, separated from the face of the Lord and away from his glorious power.2 10 When he comes, he is glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at and admired in all those who have believed 3[trusted, depended on, and obeyed] (because you believed our testimony [the true gospel which is the power of God to change]). 11 Therefore we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness and the work of faith with power, [Faith is to hear and obey, which faith results in power to perform the work as ordered.] 12 So that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Next Chapter |
1 It it is a righteous thing with God to repay affliction to those who afflict you; And to you who are afflicted, to give [given by God] rest with us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven... Paul is saying that when the Lord Jesus is revealed, you will enter the rest with us, (Paul and others were already in the rest, already in the kingdom).
This is the rest referred in Hebrews 4, the rest that you must make every effort to enter. This is rest from fighting your enemies, like the children of Israel were given a rest in the promised land, after they had defeated their enemies; except our enemies are lust, envy, lying, greed, sexual immorality, anger, etc. This is even to rest from your own thoughts, your own words, your own works; to be prompted and energized by God in thoughts, words, and deeds — as Jesus was prompted by God in thoughts, words, and deeds.
You enter the rest when the Lord Jesus appears in your heart, when the Lord Jesus in revealed from heaven; when he appears the second time.
he will appear the second time, not to bear sin, but to bring full salvation to those who are waiting for and expecting him, Heb 9:28; the end of grace.
This is the end of grace, to receive salvation, to enter the rest, to enter the kingdom, to enter union with God, as a new creature.
2000 years ago, he told us to Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Mat 6:33
We are supposed to ignore the pursuit of food and clothing so that we can dedicate ourselves to seeking the Kingdom of God.
2000 years ago he told us to pray the Lord's Prayer, including to pray: Your Kingdom come.
These commands make no sense if the Kingdom of God is only coming to a generation thousands of years later.
But Jesus is neither guilty of cruelty, or stupid, for telling every generation for 2000 years to make this their first priority;
for every generation has the opportunity to enter the Kingdom, which is in them, and does not come with outward or visible sign.
He said: For the Son of man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels;
and then he will reward every man according to his works. (Not just a particular generation.) Mat 16:27-28
Some standing here will not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom. Mar 8:38, 9:1, Luke 9:26-27
Those not purified, to see Jesus' coming in them before death, see him as they die, as all peoples, all nations, all generations do.
Behold, he comes with clouds; and every eye will see him, and they also which pierced him: (also, the Jews 2000 years ago)
and all the peoples of the earth will wail because of him. Even so, Amen. Rev 1:7.
2000 years ago, to the Jewish High Priest and the Pharisees at his trial, Jesus said..
you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven. Mark 14:62
when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels is not a particular generation in our time or later.
From Francis Howgill's outstanding writing describing the revealing of the Lord in general:
The Lord God of the whole earth, who lives forever, even the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; whose throne is established in righteousness, who rides on the heavens and shines forth in his eternal excellence from the firmament of his power, is manifesting himself as in the days of old, and is revealing his righteousness as in the years past; and is pouring out his Spirit on his sons and daughters, according to his promise; and of the blessing of the everlasting hills. The Lord, who appeared at Sinai in the burning bush unto Moses his servant; who rose up from Mount Seir; and shined forth in his brightness from Mount Paran; and comes in ten thousands of his saints; even he from whose right hand went a fiery law, so that the people could not behold his glory, has now appeared in this day the day of his power, and is appearing; whose brightness shall make dim all the world's glory, and stain its wisdom, and shut it up in utter darkness. The shadow of death shall flee away; and all the haughty and lofty princes of this world shall be horribly afraid; the beasts shall go into their dens when the day appears; and the lambs of the everlasting fold shall come forth, and be fed in the fat valleys, where the springs of life compass about all the banks; and they shall rejoice in their Shepherd, and say: "The Lord is my Shepherd;" which many at this time, who have seen his wonders as in the days of old, and his noble acts which the fathers have told of, who are fallen asleep and are at rest in the Lord, do admire at, and say: " What has God wrought?" God is now bringing many to see what those witnessed to be true; and to have the same fulfilled in themselves. Honor and praise to Him forever, who is the stay and strength of all His people forever. The day of the Lord has dawned, and the light has appeared that manifests all things which are reprovable; and the Day-star has risen in the hearts of many. This day when it appears, discovers all things, and makes all things manifest to those to whom it appears; as is declared by the Spirit of Truth in the Scriptures of Truth; "and every man's work shall be tried of what sort it is.” And this day has appeared to many who have waited for it; praises to the Lord! And now they see everything in its ground and rise; and every tree and fruit is seen according to its kind, whether good or bad; and every man's work is obvious to every one who is in the day, and upon whom the morning of righteousness has appeared, and the Sun of Righteousness has shined, whereby that which is reprovable and condemnable in everyone is seen, and that also which is justifiable and unreprovable.
God is a spirit, his day is spiritual, and is seen with a spiritual eye. It is pure light, pure brightness; the pure shining forth of the Lord in his glorious excellence; holiness shedding itself abroad in its glory — purity spreading itself in its immeasurable excellence. It can only be seen as it is in itself by the children of light, that are born of it. The natural day receives its brightness from the sun; the spiritual day receives its brightness from the Son of Righteousness, by whom it is brought forth, who causes it to spring from on high, who is the Fountain of life, without whom nothing was, or is made. As the natural day receives its clearness from the natural sun, and is discerned by the natural eye of the natural man; and all things natural are seen and discovered by and in the natural day, and are obvious to him that has his sight; even so from the Sun of Righteousness! the Lord of glory, light, and purity, the day of God receives its brightness; and it is discerned by the spiritual eye of the spiritual man, who is in the image of the Father, brought forth in life from God the Father of life, by Christ Jesus the Life of men, the Light of the world. This is the birth which is born from above, which is of the nature of the Father, and of the Son, and of the day. Only he, who is of this birth, comes to behold this day, and discerns all things of the Father's kingdom by it, and likewise the hidden things of dishonesty, and the works of darkness, which are brought forth by the prince of darkness, who is shut up in eternal and utter darkness; which is his residence, and shall be the residence forever, and of all the workers of iniquity that bear his image.
Yet some may say that this day has not appeared to any in this age. But if a man who is naturally blind should say that there is no light in the day nor in the sun, because he sees none; is there then no light in the day, nor in the sun? And what if all things are alike unto him, day and night, so that he can not distinguish between the two; does this then make void the claim of those with a natural eye who can see both the sun and day? And if those who are spiritually blind, and are children of the night, say they see nothing of the day of the Lord, or of the discovery of the things of God, or of his glorious appearance, which many do witness, does this render their sight void, who have seen into the things of God’s kingdom? The unbelief of some does not make the faith of those who do believe void — may God so forbid.
2 Taking vengeance in flaming fire on those who do not know God. At his coming to those not purified, and who have died in their sins, his vengeance of flaming fire is exacted, burning all that is not holy. And since they have not purified themselves, they lose everything, with nothing left to show for all their time on the earth. This is a frightening and terrible experience for those not purified. They suffer eternal destruction, separated from the face of the God and His glorious power. They lose their souls, but live in Spirit to be purified in the lake of fire.
From Francis Howgill's outstanding writing on how the Day of the Lord affects the wicked, those not purified.
Though the day of the Lord is pure light and brightness, and mixes not with night, which is of a contrary nature; yet it is a day of blackness and gloominess, and a notable terrible day unto the wicked, who hate its appearance, and hate the light, who are children of falsehood, and of deceit; whose deeds are evil. It shows or manifests them and their deeds; as it is written in Job 24:17: “the morning is unto them as the shadow of death.” The appearance of the Lord frightens them; and they would run from it as a thief that digs through a wall and breaks open a house in the night while deep sleep is upon men; such an evil man is afraid when the day appears that discovers his actions. The day of the Lord will steal upon those who live without restraint upon earth; whose hearts are set to seek after wickedness, as for hidden treasure; and it will come upon them as a thief. They, being children of the night, and bringing forth fruits of darkness, will have their portion in utter darkness. Thus shall the ungodly perish, and have their portion with hypocrites. Think of this all you railers, and revilers of the Light and the appearance of God, and repent. For as with the wild ass that snuffs up the wind at her pleasure, and those who seek her will not weary themselves with her, yet the time comes when she will be found and taken; the same will be with all the ungodly, though they may run as a wild ass, and traverse their way as a swift dromedary, yet the day will come, when they will be overtaken in the midst of their security; and they shall not escape.
And though the children, teachers, and believers of this world, who profess the Scriptures, have prayed for the day of the Lord, yet when it comes, it will be as a burning and devouring fire, and they will fall as stubble before it; for whatever is reprovable is manifested by the day in which God appears; and it shall appear, even to the wicked and to the ungodly. So all you hirelings who preach for hire, and you people who love to have it so, you shall not be hidden; and all opposers of the Truth shall be found out, and shall be convicted of their hard speeches, and ungodly deeds. What makes your deeds manifest is the day, and it will convince you; for even the wicked shall see His appearance, although to condemnation, shame, and, contempt.
Behold, he comes with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him:
and all the peoples of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. Rev 1:7.2000 years ago, to the Jewish High Priest and the Pharisees at his trial, Jesus said..
you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven. Mark 14:62
This is not a particular generation thousands of year later."They shall look on Him whom they have pierced." For even in the wicked God has a witness which is pure, which checks often, though they regard it not, because the god of this world has blinded their eyes; but when Christ, the Light shall appear, He will make that to see in the wicked, which the god of this world has blinded; and they shall behold Him in dread; and His pure appearance shall make them horribly afraid. Although they would not see, they will be made to see; and they will be made to hear what they would not hear, when God sounds his trumpet, to give warning to all, that the dead, both small and great may arise, "some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”*
*Some to shame and everlasting contempt is not everyone else who did not awaken to everlasting life. The Lord says a perpetual shame and everlasting approach applies to the false prophets, Jer 23:30-40, which would include the preachers of Christianity not called by the Lord, not taught by the Lord, not perfected by the Lord, not authorized by the Lord, not sent by the Lord, not speaking with words heard from the Lord immediately before speaking, and not doing only what the Lord shows them to do. Everyone who fails to learn how to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, will meet His fury, (but not forever and accompanied by His compassion).
3 When he comes, he is glorified in his saints. The verse before said when he is revealed. To be revealed is to be shown; he appears. The Lord appears in glory:
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Mat 5:8. Without a pure heart, you are now, and will be, banned from heaven.
He appears to the purified heart of a believer — he is seen. This is his second appearance - this time to the purified in heart.
For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Cor 4:6. Christ is revealed in your heart; you see, and have knowledge of, the glory of God.
when comes he is glorified in his saints.
and his saints appear in glory: When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Col 3:4.
What glory? From verses 8 and 9 above, those who do not know God..will be punished with everlasting destruction..from his glorious power.
His saints are glorified in their heavenly appearance, and in the earth the glory in which his saints appear is power; power, like the Apostles and early church had power:
I will send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high. Luke 24:49
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; Acts 1:8.
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33.
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Acts 6:8.
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 1 Cor 2:4
For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7
to be marveled at and admired in all those who have believed
He appears to the purified heart of a believer — he is seen. This is his second appearance - this time to the purified in heart.
For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Cor 4:6. Christ is revealed in your heart; you see, and have knowledge of, the glory of God.
The morning star rises in your hearts. 2 Pet 1:19.
Jesus is resurrected in us to be our true Lord. 2 Cor 4:14, Col 2:12, 3:1, Eph 2:6.
When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you will appear with Him in glory. Col 3:4.
From Francis Howgill's outstanding writing on the Day of the Lord's appearance to the righteous:
The appearance of God, who is eternal life, in his day, in his immeasurable Light, is a great joy, and source of rejoicing to the righteous. For he is to his people an everlasting light, and in his light they come to see light.
He reveals the secret mysteries of his kingdom in those who see his day appear in their hearts, which makes all things manifest, even the secrets of the Lord, and his hidden treasure, and his durable riches, which never canker or rust, but are fresh, and keep their pure image and impression. By this Light all the righteous, who have waited on God’s appearance, come to see Him. As it is written, “Lo! This is our God, we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” Does he indeed come that you have waited for? Yes, come, “and his reward is with Him;” and those who see Him find contentment in Him, and in his reward. And what is his reward? Joy, gladness, peace of conscience, assurance of God’s love sealed in the heart by the pure Spirit of the Lord, the streams of Life flowing forth continually from the great deep, which refresh and keep cool in the greatest extremity and heat of temptation; and this is enjoyed by those who have waited and do wait for it; even in the body they bear witness of Him and his coming. What was the witness of his disciples? "The Son of God has come and has given us an understanding." Of what? Of God, of his day, of his appearance, of his power, of his wisdom, of his kingdom, of hope, of faith, of assurance, of peace, of joy, of comfort and consolation. What? In this life? Yes, a cloud of witnesses I might bring in former ages, and also in this age, blessed be the Lord; but my witness that gives me assurance, is nearer me than all their witnesses, although they are all true. Abraham, the father of the faithful, and of the righteous, who believed in God and was accepted, saw Christ’s day and was glad; that is, by faith; yes, he and all who ever saw Christ’s day, or the Father, saw Him by faith; by faith they saw Him who is invisible: "Behold! God is my salvation." Isaiah 12:2. What! Do you enjoy it already? Yes, He has become my salvation; and Simeon, who waited for the consolation of Israel, said: "Now let your servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen your salvation." Luke 2:30. And this he said, who knew comfort and consolation: "As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation abounds by Christ." They were made partakers of his Divine nature, and sat together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Those who are in Him, and enjoy Him, who is the power of God, and the wisdom of God, know rest; and peace, and salvation, both from guilt and acts of sin. The apostle, writing to the Hebrews, said that "When the Son of God had purged away our sins," (speaking of the atonement), "He sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high." Paul looked beyond sin, even to Him who had purged away sin; and this being purged from sin comes to be made manifest unto and in those who believe, by the Spirit of Jesus, who is Christ the Lamb, the arm that brings salvation, who is the author of eternal salvation onto all those who believe. He begins it and perfects it in his day, for He works in the day, as He himself said: "My Father works here in this, and I work." He destroys the work of the devil; this is his work in man, which those who have come to his day feel and see, even the handiwork of God in themselves; and his own works praise Him, for they only can. Those, who have not come to the day, do not know God’s work in themselves; and those, who have not yet heeded that in themselves, which manifests all things reprovable, and which reproves, have not yet come to know the appearance of the glimmering of light or of the day in themselves, which the saints witness in themselves, even all of those who are sanctified.
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